UNG Newsroom

UNG celebrates Constitution Day

Members of the Politically Incorrect club on UNG's Gainesville Campus field questions about the Constitution.

In honor of Constitution Day, Sept. 17, the University of North Georgia recently held a celebratory program on its Gainesville Campus, while the Dahlonega Campus is having an essay contest.

The celebration on the Gainesville Campus included a handout of U.S. Constitution booklets and voter registration forms, and special pins were given to veterans in attendance, several of whom represented the Disabled Veterans of America. There was also a performance of the national anthem and a student and faculty panel from the Politically Incorrect club available to answer questions about the Constitution.

"This event showcased how the University of North Georgia is a wonderful free marketplace of ideas championing a rich diversity of views about our Constitution and public policy matters in general," said Dr. Douglas Young, professor of political science and history.

The Dahlonega Campus will be celebrating Constitution Day with an essay contest held by the UNG American Democracy Project, including prizes for the top three essay writers. The topic for the essay is, "Is the right to marry another individual a fundamental right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause?" The essay question was created by Dr. Carl Cavalli, professor of political science at UNG. The contest began accepting submissions at noon on Sept. 17, and will continue until 5 p.m. on Sept. 23.

"For UNG students in particular, Constitution Day is an important time to think about and learn something about our government's foundation, and that itself is central to the mission of the UNG education, giving students the tools they need to be the kind of citizens who are aware and involved in the political process," said Dr. Renee Bricker, assistant professor of early-modern British history and coordinator of the essay contest. "Democracy doesn't work without that involvement and it is part of our goal here at UNG to encourage educated participation."

Students may enter the contest by submitting an essay to Bricker at her office in Barnes Hall 305.

The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Library of Congress and the Government Printing Office marked this year's Constitution Day by releasing a free new app and web application. The app provides analysis and interpretation of constitutional case law by Library of Congress experts, and is accessible to anyone with a computer or mobile device. To read more about the app, click here.